Mayor Lisa Lake said they were “very concerning incidents”.
She says the safety of residents is the council’s highest priority and she felt more could and should be done to support and educate the community on safe practices around our swimming pools and all waterways.
The council will implement a water safety community awareness campaign in the top five languages promoting their water safety initiatives such as the learn to swim programs, the Keep Watch program and other key resources; and promote the campaign to all schools, early education centres and any other relevant community and youth agencies.
In one incident, emergency services were called to Merrylands Pool on Monday, January 16, about 3.35pm, where bystanders pulled an unconscious young girl from the pool.
Ambulance Inspector Kevin McSweeney said bystanders used a pool noodle to pull her to safety.
“She was pulled from the water unconscious and lifeguards then administered four rounds of CPR, thankfully, when paramedics arrived the girl was conscious and breathing,” he said.
“We just want to recognise the young fellow in the pool who was able to get help for the little girl.
“She was taken to hospital in a stable condition.
“Water related incidents can often have a tragic outcome, but fortunately we had a happy ending. We urge everyone to remain vigilant around water and to never take your eyes off your kids.”
The council’s five swimming centre offer learn to swim programs which teach skills in water safety, confidence and survival.
There have already been 53 drowning deaths in Australia this summer, 22 of which were in NSW, and over the last 20 years, 549 children aged 0-4 years have died from drowning in Australia, 40 per cent were aged just one-year-old.
